>>> FROM OUR STATE HOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY.

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

FIRST, A PROGRAMMING NOTE: THE "PBS SPECIAL REPORT: WAR IN THE HOLY LAND" WILL AIR AT 8:30 P.M.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

ALSO, LET ME APOLOGIZE TO OUR VIEWERS WHO WEREN'T ABLE TO WATCH LAST WEEK'S "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

WE HAD A TECHNICAL ISSUE THAT CAUSED BROADCAST INTERRUPTIONS - A RARE OCCURRENCE THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

BUT JUST A REMINDER, YOU CAN FIND OUR SHOWS ONLINE AT APTV.ORG OR ON OUR NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

JUST SEARCH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" IN YOUTUBE TO FIND OUR EPISODES ONLINE THERE.

ON TO THE NEWS.

THE STATE OF ALABAMA MAY BE ONE STEP CLOSER TO MAKING MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRODUCTS AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS.

THIS WEEK THE ALABAMA MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION MET TO DISCUSS REVAMPING THE APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS FOR WHICH COMPANIES WOULD RECEIVE LICENSES TO GROW, TRANSPORT AND SELL MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

THE PROCESS HAS BEEN DELAYED MULTIPLE TIMES DUE TO SETBACKS STEMMING FROM DISCREPANCIES IN THE SCORING SYSTEM IN THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION PROCESS.

THAT LED TO A FLURRY OF LAWSUITS FROM COMPANIES CLAIMING THE PROCESS WASN'T FAIR.

ON THURSDAY, THE COMMISSION VOTED TO ADOPT NEW RULES IT SAYS ENSURES FAIRNESS AND TRANSPARENCY FOR ALL APPLICANTS.

>> OCTOBER 26TH.

THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING WE WILL HAVE A LOT ON OUR PLATE TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE.

A LOT OF MOTIONS TO TAKE PLACE, WHICH WILL SET THE AGENDA MOVING SWIFTLY THROUGH NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.

>> ARE YOU AIMING TO HAVE THE LICENSES ABORTED BY THE END OF THE YEAR?

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU?

>> PRETTY CONFIDENT.

IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHAT THE COURTS ALLOW US TO DO, BUT WE DO THINK WE ARE MAKING HEADWAY.

SO, IT'S DEPENDENT ON WHAT THE COURT ACCOMMODATES US TO DO.

BUT WE ARE HOPING THAT BY THE END OF THE YEAR WE CAN -- BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRULY, TRULY FOCUS ON THE SERVICES THAT WE WANT TO PROVIDE WITHOUT HAVING THE FINANCIAL THING TO WORRY ABOUT.

IN ADDITION TO THE LICENSING FEES, IN ADDITION TO THE APPLICATION FEES, SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY TO BE HEARD, SIMPLY TO BE GIVE AN EXPLANATION OR ASK QUESTIONS.

I FEEL LIKE NOW WITH THE TRANSPARENCY THEY WILL ALLOW US AND THE TRANSPARENCY THEY ARE OPENING UP WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND TRULY GET EVERYTHING IN PLACE FOR THE PATIENTS, THE LEGISLATURES AND THE COMMUNITY THAT MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND WANT TO KNOW WHO WE ARE, WHO IS HERE IN ALABAMA, WHO HAS OUR INTEREST, OUR BEST INTEREST AT HAND.

>> THE LAW LEGALIZING MEDICAL MARIJUANA WAS PASSED BACK IN 2021 AND MANY EXPECTED PRODUCTS TO BE AVAILABLE BY NOW.

THE DELAYS ARE FRUSTRATING FOR PATIENTS WHO SAY THEY NEED THE DRUG TO HELP COPE WITH PAINFUL AND DEBILITATING DISEASES.

ONE SUCH PATIENT WAS AT THE COMMISSION'S MEETING THURSDAY.

>> IT'S VITAL FOR PATIENTS LIKE MYSELF WHO ARE SUFFERING.

IT'S NOT JUST THAT WE ARE SUFFERING.

WE'RE DYING.

THERE'S TONS -- 50 YEARS' WORTH OF RESEARCH DONE IN ISRAEL.

WE ARE HERE AND BABBLING OVER THINGS WE SHOULDN'T BE.

IT IS ALREADY PROVEN.

I'VE STOOD UP AND PROVEN IT AND I'M SUFFERING GREATLY.

MY HEALTH IS SUFFERING GREATLY BECAUSE I'M HAVING TO DO WITHOUT MEDICAL CANNABIS.

>>> SOME DEBATE THIS WEEK ON HOW TO PRIORITIZE ROAD AND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WILL AINSWORTH EXPRESSED CRITICISM OF HOW THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS PRIORITIZING THE WEST ALABAMA CORRIDOR PROJECT WHILE OTHER NEEDS LIKE INTERSTATE 65 STILL NEED ATTENTION.

HIS COMMENTS TO ME ON THE "IN THE WEEDS" PODCAST WERE CANDID TO SAY THE LEAST.

>> WE DON'T NEED TO HAMSTRING YOURSELF FROM JUST PUTTING ALL OF OUR MONEY STATE RESOURCES INTO A PROJECT IN SOUTHWEST ALABAMA.

YOU KNOW, IF WE COULD SPEND 200 OR 300 MILLION STATE DOLLARS AND DRAW DOWN THE REST FEDERAL DOLLARS INSTEAD OF FIVE TO TEN YEARS, IT TAKES 15 BUT THE FEDS ARE PICKING UP A LOT MORE OF IT.

THAT MAKES MORE SENSE THAN THE STATE PAYING 100% OF THAT.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TOLD THE LEGISLATURE THAT FEDERAL MONEY WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE WEST ALABAMA CORRIDOR PROJECT AND ALSO POINTED TO SEVERAL REBUILD ALABAMA PROJECTS AROUND THE STATE THAT ARE ONGOING OR PLANNED.

THAT INCLUDES THE WIDENING OF INTERSTATE 65 ALONG A 10-MILE STRETCH IN FAST GROWING SHELBY COUNTY.

>>> FORMER STATE SENATOR ROGER BEDFORD PASSED AWAY THIS WEEK.

THE LONGTIME LAWMAKER WAS 67 YEARS OLD.

BEDFORD WAS A GIANT IN ALABAMA POLITICS, SERVING IN THE STATE SENATE FOR 28 YEARS.

HIS MASTERY OF THE RULES MADE BEDFORD ESPECIALLY DOMINATE ON THE SENATE FLOOR, OFTEN TO THE FRUSTRATION OF THE OPPOSITION.

CLAY REDDEN COVERED AND OBSERVED BEDFORD THROUGH HIS WHOLE CAREER IN THE STATE HOUSE.

>> WHEN HE FIRST CAME HERE IN THE EARLY 1980S, THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT HIM THAT TOLD YOU HE WAS GOING TO MOVE UP IN THE SENATE AND POLITICS IN GENERAL IN ALABAMA.

THAT IS THE KIND OF GUY HE WAS.

MOST FRESHMEN THAT CAME TO MONTGOMERY THEN AND NOW TO SOME DEGREE, THEY WERE TOLD BY THE VETERANS, AND MOST OF THOSE WERE LONG-TERM MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE, BUT SENATE ESPECIALLY, THEIR RECOMMENDATION FOR FRESHMEN WERE TO SIT DOWN, WATCH, LEARN AND KEEP QUIET.

THAT WASN'T ROGER'S STYLE, NOT BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION.

ROGER WAS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THE ISSUES HE CHAMPIONED.

THE ONES THAT COME TO MIND HAVE TO DO WITH CHILDREN, CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND CHILDREN FIRST.

THAT PASSION COULD SOMETIMES CROSSOVER INTO ABRASIVENESS ON THE SENATE FLOOR WHEN HE WAS AT THE MICROPHONE, BUT THERE WAS NEVER ANY QUESTION ABOUT WHERE ROGER STOOD ON ISSUES OR WHERE YOU STOOD WITH ROGER.

I BELIEVE HE WAS 25 YEARS OLD WHEN HE WAS ELECTED TO THE SENATE.

THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY UNHEARD OF.

MOST OF THE TIME PEOPLE WERE IN THEIR 30S, LATE 30S.

AT THAT TIME, I WOULD SAY THE AVERAGE AGE OF A STATE SENATOR WAS EARLY 40S LATE 50S.

SO ROGER PRETTY MUCH HIT THE GROUND RUNNING WHEN HE GOT TO MONTGOMERY.

HE JUST DIDN'T SIT BACK AND WATCH.

HE LEARNED AND HE ACTED.

>> BEDFORD WILL BE MISSED BY A GREAT MANY AND OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY.

>>> ALABAMA WATCHED WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD THE ATROCITIES THAT TOOK PLACE IN ISRAEL LAST WEEKEND, AS HAMAS TERRORISTS ATTACKED MULTIPLE ISRAELI AREAS, KILLING, MAIMING AND KIDNAPPING MEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

THE BRUTALITY HIT HOME IN A CHILLING WAY FOR ALABAMA'S JEWISH COMMUNITY.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE PHILIP EISLER OF MONTGOMERY - THE ONLY JEWISH MEMBER OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE.

>> TO WAKE UP ON SATURDAY MORNING ON THE SABBATH TO THE NEWS OF WOMEN, CHILDREN, HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS, THE ELDERLY BEING MASSACRED, BEING RAPED, BEING BEHEADED IN ISRAEL WAS JUST HORRIFIC TO SAY THE LEAST.

IT CAN'T EVEN BE FULLY CAPTURED IN WORDS.

SO, THIS HAS BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT TIME FOR THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IN ALABAMA BUT JUST FOR ANYBODY THAT HAS A BIG HEART, ANYBODY OF CONSCIENCE, JUST TO SEE THAT KIND OF HUMAN SUFFERING, WITHOUT EVEN GETTING INTO THE POLITICS OF IT, DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN OR AT TIMES WHAT SIDE OF THE ISSUE PEOPLE ARE ON.

JUST FOR HUMANITY THIS HAS BEEN A REALLY TRYING TIME.

SO, BOTH AS A LEGISLATOR AND ALSO IN MY ROLE IN THE NONPROFIT COMMUNITY, THIS HAS BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT TIME FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

WHETHER IT IS THREATS IN AMERICA FROM WHITE SUPREMACISTS AND THERE'S A RISE IN ANTI-SEMITISM ATTACKS ON JEWISH PEOPLE FROM WHITE SUPREMACISTS IN AMERICA, BUT THEN ALSO NOW THESE ATROCITIES CARRIED OUT BY HAMAS, BY A TERRORIST GROUP IN ISRAEL IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND FOR ANYONE OF ANY BACKGROUND THAT FEELS OR HAS BEEN THREATENED OR ATTACKED BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE, THAT'S WRONG.

EVERYONE IN AMERICA, EVERYONE IN THE WORLD, MAYBE AS IDEALISTIC AS IT SOUNDS, EVERYBODY SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE SAFELY, PEACEFULLY AND NOT LIVE IN FEAR BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE BECAUSE OF THEIR GROUND OR IDENTITY.

>>> TURNING TO WASHINGTON, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS STILL WITHOUT A SPEAKER AFTER THE REMOVAL OF KEVIN MCCARTHY LAST WEEK.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS, WHO HOLD A SLIM MAJORITY, FIRST NOMINATED STEVE SCALISE OF LOUISIANA AS A REPLACEMENT, BUT HE COULDN'T WIN OVER MEMBERS ON THE HARD RIGHT.

NOW, JIM JORDAN OF OHIO IS NOMINATED, WITH A VOTE SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, BUT IT'S UNLIKELY HE'LL GET SUPPORT FROM ALL TRADITIONAL CONSERVATIVES.

ALABAMA CONGRESSMAN MIKE ROGERS HAD HARSH WORDS FOR THE EIGHT REPUBLICANS WHO CREATED THIS CHAOTIC SITUATION BY REMOVING MCCARTHY, CALLING THEM "“TRAITORS.

"” HE WENT ON TO SAY QUOTE, "“THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE HAVE A VERY FRACTURED CONFERENCE, AND TO LIMIT OURSELVES TO JUST GETTING 217 OUT OF OUR CONFERENCE, I THINK, IS NOT A WISE PATH.

"” BY 217, ROGERS IS REFERRING TO HOW MANY VOTES IT TAKES TO WIN A MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE RIGHT NOW.

HE HAS SAID THAT BECAUSE A HANDFUL OF REPUBLICANS WON'T AGREE ON ANYBODY, IT MAY TAKE WORKING WITH DEMOCRATS TO ELECT A SPEAKER SO THE HOUSE CAN FUNCTION PROPERLY.

>>> LAST WEEK'S BROADCAST INTERRUPTIONS CAUSED MANY TO MISS RANDY SCOTT'S STORY ON ELECTRIC VEHICLE GROWTH IN ALABAMA'S RURAL AREAS.

HERE'S HIS REPORT.

>> TUSKEGEE HAS A LOT OF HISTORY AND WE LOOK TO BE OUT FRONT ON ANYTHING DEVELOPING.

TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH, SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING WE FEEL LIKE WE WANT TO BE OUT FRONT ON.

>> TUSKEGEE MAYOR TONY HAYGOOD IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT CHANGES COMING TO HIS COMMUNITY.

>> IT IS SMALL COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE SOME BIG THINGS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE THE FIRST MAJOR INDUSTRY COMING IN, A SOUTH KOREA COMPANY AND WE MET WITH THEM LAST WEEK.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS DIE CAST ALUMINUM COMPANY THAT WILL SUPPLY HYUNDAI, KIA AND EVENTUALLY THE FORD F-150.

>> IT IS GIVING THIS AREA EXPOSURE SAYS HAYGOOD.

>> FIRST INDUSTRIAL TYPE INJURY.

WE HAD THE V.A.

HOSPITAL AND THE UNIVERSITY BUT THE FIRST INDUSTRY WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.

WHERE YOU HAD THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN AND WHAT THEY CONTRIBUTED TO THE U.S. MILITARY IN WORLD WAR II AND THE OUTSTANDING JOB THEY DID, WHICH MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL ASTONISHED ABOUT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THEY MADE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE BARRIERS THEY FACED.

>> IT HAS DEEP ROOTS IN THE STATE HISTORY AND LEADERS WANT TO HAVE A FIRM FOOTHOLD IN THE FUTURE, TOO.

THAT'S WHY THEY ARE TAKING STEPS TO GET READY FOR IT.

ONE OF THOSE CHANGES IS GETTING READY FOR THE INCREASED NUMBER OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES COMING HERE.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE WILL SEE SOME NEW TOOLS SUCH AS CHARGING STATIONS SAYS THE MAYOR.

HE HOPES FINANCIAL AID WILL COME FROM THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO HELP TUSKEGEE.

>> OUR PLANNING IN THE CITY, TALKING ABOUT IT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS MORE AND WE WANT TO PUT SOME CHARGING STATIONS DOWNTOWN SO WHEN PEOPLE COME DOWNTOWN THEY CAN CHARGE THEIR CARS AND ON THE CAMPUS BECAUSE IT A HISTORIC SITE.

YOU HAVE BOOKER T WASHINGTON'S HOME, AND PEOPLE SPEND TIME AND CAN CHARGE THEIR CARS WHILE THEY ARE THERE.

>> EDUCATING CITIZENS.

>> THEY BROUGHT THEM TO THE CAMPUS FOR THE STUDENTS, ESPECIALLY ENGINEERING STUDENTS.

>> HE SAID THE UNIVERSITY IS ALREADY SEEING ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON ITS CAMPUS AND AROUND TOWN.

>> WE HAVE SEVERAL PROFESSORS AND ADMINISTRATORS ON THE CAMPUS THAT HAVE THEM.

THEY ARE VERY QUIET.

YOU NOTICE WHEN THEY PASS BY YOU HAVE TO LOOK AROUND BECAUSE YOU DON'T HEAR THEM COMING.

YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF THE BREEZE BUT NOT THE MOTOR.

THEY ARE QUIET AND FAST, AS I SAID, AND VERY NICE IN DESIGN.

>> THOSE INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE PLANS EXTEND DOWNTOWN TUSKEGEE TO I-85.

>> AT EXIT 38, WHERE THEY WILL BE OPENING A TRAVEL CENTER SOON WE HAVE PUT IN THREE OR FOUR CHARGING STATIONS THERE.

WE WELCOME THIS NEW AGE OF ELECTRIC CARS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M RANDY SCOTT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH TONIGHT'S GUESTS.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE AT APTV.ORG.

"CAPITOL JOURNAL" SHOW EPISODES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE FREE MOBILE APP.

YOU CAN CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE AND YOU CAN LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR ON THE GO WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" PODCASTS.

KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> JOINING ME IS JOHN HAMM, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE YOU INVITING ME.

>> THERE'S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT BUT LET'S START WITH PRISON CONSTRUCTION.

ALABAMA IS INVESTING TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESOURCES IN BUILDING THE PRISON INFRASTRUCTURE.

I KNOW ELMORE COUNTY FACILITY IS UP AND GOING.

ESCAMBIA HAS SITE PREP WORK.

CAN YOU UPDATE US ON WHERE WE ARE, ESPECIALLY ELMORE AND WHEN CAN WE START TO SEE RESULTS FROM THOSE TREMENDOUS INVESTMENTS?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

WE TRY TO EDUCATE PEOPLE AS MUCH AS WE CAN WHEN WE COME IN CONTACT WITH THEM ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT.

ELMORE IS PROGRESSING NICELY.

IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.

AS FAR AS SEEING, THERE'S A LOT OF UNDERGROUND WORKS, SEWER SYSTEMS, THE STORM WATER, THAT TYPE OF STUFF.

SO YOU DON'T REALLY SEE A LOT BUT WE HAVE DONE OUR FOOTINGS, SOME SLABS.

PROBABLY IN ABOUT TWO OR THREE WEEKS YOU'LL ACTUALLY SEE THINGS COMING OUT OF THE GROUND AS FAR AS SETTING THE CELLS.

CELLS ARE CONCRETE CELLS AND ARE BUILT ON SITE AND THEY WILL SET THEM IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

THAT'S ONE THING THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW.

THEY HEAR A 4,000-BED FACILITY.

THEY THINK IT IS JUST ONE BUILDING WITH 4,000 CELLS IN IT.

THIS SITE WILL HAVE PROBABLY 50 BUILDINGS AND IT WILL RANGE FROM MINIMUM WORK RELEASE TO MAXIMUM SECURITY INMATES.

WE WILL HAVE DIFFERENT HOUSING UNITS ON THE COMPLEX TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE INMATES.

PLUS, THE ELMORE FACILITY IS CALLED THE ELMORE SPECIALIZED MEN'S FACILITY, SPECIALIZED BECAUSE OF THE MEDICAL COMPONENT AND THE MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENT THAT WE'LL HAVE AT THAT FACILITY.

>> THAT'S PART OF THE POINT, RIGHT, MAKING A SAFER PRISON, MEETING THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS.

THAT'S TWO OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN UNDER FIRE FOR -- THE STATE HAS BEEN UNDER FIRE FOR.

I WANT TO GET TO THAT BECAUSE STAFFING HAS BEEN A BIG PROBLEM, WE ARE UNDERSTAFFED IN THE PRISON SYSTEM.

I KNOW THAT IS PART OF IT TOO.

WHERE ARE WE NOW IN TERMS OF TRYING TO MEET THE COURT'S ORDER OF INCREASING THAT STAFF ON THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER SIDE AND THE MENTAL HEALTH SIDE?

>> THAT'S SOMETHING WE STARTED DAY ONE WORKING ON BECAUSE WE KNEW IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH STAFFING.

THE MENTAL HEALTH STAFFING HAS BEEN AN ISSUE BUT WE HAVE MADE STRIDES WITH THAT BUT OUR SECURITY STAFF, CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS ARE WHAT WE CONCENTRATED ON SINCE DAY ONE.

IT WAS PRETTY BLEAK.

WHEN WE CAME IN, WE HAD AN ACADEMY CLASS WHEN I CAME IN THAT HAD SEVEN CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS IN IT.

WE JUST GRADUATED ONE THAT HAD 60.

WE STARTED ONE THIS PAST MONDAY AND WE HAD 67, I BELIEVE IN THAT ONE.

WE HAVE ACTUALLY ARE IN THE BLACK NOW AS FAR AS NOT LOSING MORE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS THAN WE'RE GAINING SINCE MAY.

SO, IT'S A SMALL GAIN, BUT IT'S A GAIN IN THE BLACK.

SO WE WORK HARD EVERY DAY ON THE RECRUITING AND RETENTION OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS.

>> IT'S A DANGEROUS JOB, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THAT OBVIOUSLY MAKES IT TOUGH TO RECRUIT.

I KNOW YOU ALL RAISED SALARIES.

THE LAST I SAW INCREASED DRAMATICALLY.

IS THAT HAVING AN IMPACT?

IT IS A PRETTY LUCRATIVE JOB AT THIS POINT?

>> ABSOLUTELY THAT HELPED.

THAT'S THE SINGLE FACTOR THAT GAVE US SHOT IN THE ARM ON OUR HIRING.

FIRST, WE WERE DOING THESE SMALL THINGS TRYING TO BOOST IT, BUT THE PAY RAISE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT IN THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS WE HAVE AND ARE WORKING THROUGH TO FILL OUR ACADEMY CLASSES.

SO, YES, WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION YOU CAN START AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS $52,000 AND IN 18 MONTHS MAKING 72.

IT IS A PRETTY GOOD LIVING.

>> WILL HAVING NEW FACILITIES MAKE IT EASIER?

OBVIOUSLY, IT'S A DANGEROUS JOB BUT THE OLD FACILITIES MAKE THEM MORE DANGEROUS BECAUSE THEY ARE DILAPIDATED AND DON'T HAVE UPDATED SECURITY FEATURES?

>> THE FACILITIES WE HAVE ARE HOLD AND MAINTENANCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH OUR FACILITY.

HAVING A NEW FACILITY CERTAINLY MODERN DESIGNS WHERE IT'S A LOT SAFER, WE WILL HAVE TECHNOLOGY IN THERE TO ASSIST OFFICERS IN THE SECURITY ASPECT.

SO, IT SHOULD BE ALSO AN ADVANTAGE TO US ON RECRUITING CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS.

>> UH-HUH.

GOING BACK TO THE PRISON CONSTRUCTION ISSUE, THERE'S BEEN QUITE THE STICKER SHOCK, ESPECIALLY AMONG LAWMAKERS WHO STARTED THIS PROJECT OUT WITH A LOT LESS FINANCIAL COMMITMENT THAN WHAT IT IS NOW.

I KNOW THE SCOPE HAS CHANGED AND WE HAVE INFLATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

HOW DO YOU -- WHEN YOU TALK TO THEM, TO LAWMAKERS, HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY THESE INCREASED COSTS AND WILL IT BE WORTH IT?

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, OF COURSE I WAS AT ANOTHER STATE AGENCY WHEN A LOT OF THIS WAS TRANSPIRING.

YOU KNOW, THE 600 AND SOMETHING MILLION DOLLAR INITIAL COST -- THAT WAS BASED ON 2019 PRICING WITH 4% INFLATION FACTOR.

SO, WE COME IN AND THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT HAPPENED.

YOU KNOW, INFLATION HAS CERTAINLY RISEN, BUT IT'S NOT ALL INFLATION.

A LOT OF IT WE'RE FINDING IS THE CONSTRUCTION MARKET BECAUSE WITH ALL OF THE GOVERNMENT MONEY AND EVERYBODY BUILDING IT'S CREATED DIFFICULTY IN GETTING BIDS, CONTRACTORS WANTING TO BID ON CERTAIN PROJECTS AND STUFF.

THIS IS AN ENORMOUS PROJECT, ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE STATE.

SO, WHEN YOU SIGN UP, YOU ARE SIGNING UP FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS.

SO, THE CONSTRUCTION MARKET HAS DICTATED A LOT OF THE COSTS, AS WELL.

COLLEAGUES IN UTAH, THEY STARTED IN 2016 WITH 550 MILLION FOR A 3600-BED FACILITY, AND IT WAS JUST A LITTLE OVER A BILLION DOLLARS.

INDIANA, TWO OR THREE WEEKS AGO, JUST SIGNED TO BUILD A 3500-BED FACILITY AT 1.2 BILLION.

OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, IT'S SOME STICKER SHOCK BUT IT'S KIND OF WHAT THE TREND IS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

ALSO, WHEN WE GOT IN AND STARTED TO LOOK AT THE PLANS, WE HAD TO GO BACK AND BASICALLY RECONCILE THOSE PLANS WITH SOME OF THE COURT ORDERS THAT WE HAVE AND THE BRAGS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LAWSUITS.

THERE WERE SEVERAL CHANGES THAT NEEDED TO BE MADE THAT DROVE THE COST UP.

THIS IS A LOT OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND WE WILL USE THEM AS JUDICIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE.

WHEN WE SEE THINGS THAT ARE NOT LIFE CYCLE POSITIVE, WE WANT TO CHANGE IT SO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE WILL NOT SAY WHY DO YOU HAVE TO REPLACE SOMETHING AFTER THREE YEARS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS A 30, 50 YEAR BUILDING WHERE COMPONENTS DON'T HAVE TO BE CHANGED UNTIL THEN.

SOME OF THE CENTRAL PLANT ISSUES WE HAD AND A COUPLE OTHER THINGS BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS GOING TO BE A FACILITY THAT WE KNEW WOULD LAST.

>> UH-HUH.

SWITCHING GEARS TO ANOTHER ISSUE I KNOW YOU ALL FACE AND THAT IS CONTRABAND.

I HEARD YOU DESCRIBE THIS TO THE PRISON OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AS ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS YOU FACE.

>> YES, SIR.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT PEOPLE USING A POTATO GUN TO SHOOT DRUGS OVER THE FENCE.

I NEVER HEARD OF THAT.

TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE OF CONTRABAND.

IT CONTRIBUTES TO EVERY OTHER PROBLEM YOU HAVE.

ARE THERE THINGS OTHER STATES OR FEDS HAVE DONE TO CRACKDOWN ON CONTRABAND THAT WE CAN LEARN FROM TO STEM THE PROBLEM HERE IN ALABAMA?

>> YEAH, I KEEP SAYING OUR NUMBER ONE ISSUE IS STAFFING.

WE WANT TO GET THE STAFFING UP BECAUSE THAT SOLVES A LOT OF ISSUES AND CONTRABAND IS ONE OF THEM.

CONTRABAND IS OUR NUMBER TWO ISSUE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND SUCH AN ISSUE AND THE COUNTRY THE PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION I BELONG, TO THE CORRECTIONAL LEADERS ASSOCIATION, WE HAVE A MONTHLY CALL ON CONTRABAND WHERE WE ARE ALL SITTING AROUND, TALKING ABOUT THE CONTRABAND ISSUES WE HAVE, WHAT EACH OTHER IS TRYING, WHAT KIND OF BEST PRACTICES, HOW WE CAN MITIGATE CONTRABAND COMING INTO THE FACILITIES BECAUSE CONTRABAND IN THE FACILITIES, YOU KNOW, IT DICTATES THE OTHER BEHAVIOR THAT GOES ON IN THE FACILITY.

SO, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING THAT HOPEFULLY WILL, YOU KNOW, IN THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS, MITIGATE SOME OF THE CONTRABAND COMING IN BUT ALSO THE MAIN THING IS WHEN WE GET OUR STAFFING, WHEN THESE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS OUT OF THE ACADEMY TO THE FACILITY, MORE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WILL CERTAINLY WILL CUT DOWN ON THAT.

BUT THEY ARE CREATIVE IN HOW THEY GET CONTRABAND IN TO THE FACILITIES.

LIKE POTATO GUNS, THEY SHOOT IT OVER, THEY USE DRONES, THEY USE STAFF.

YOU THINK OF IT AND THEY TRY TO GET IT IN.

>> YOU MENTIONED STAFF.

I GUESS THAT WAS BROUGHT UP BY THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.

THEY WERE SAYING -- I MEAN OBVIOUSLY IF IT IS THAT WIDESPREAD THERE WILL BE BAD APPLES AMONGST CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS.

YOU HAVE TO ALMOST HAVE A POLICE FORCE TO POLICE YOUR OWN STAFF TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM TO WEED OUT THE BAD APPLES.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

WE DON'T TOLERATE IT.

THERE'S ZERO TOLERANCE FOR THAT ACTIVITY AND ESPECIALLY IN MY PREVIOUS AGENCY, YOU KNOW, THEY SHOULD KNOW I'M NOT GOING TO TOLERATE THAT.

SO, WE DO HAVE ABOUT 50 AGENTS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT BRANCH THEY INVESTIGATE THESE CLAIMS AND WE DO ARREST SOME OF OUR OWN FOLKS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR REENTRY EFFORTS.

OBVIOUSLY, WHEN SOMEONE REACHES THEIR END OF SENTENCE, WE WANT THEM TO REENTER SOCIETY IN A POSITIVE WAY SO AS TO NOT RETURN TO PRISON, TO NOT REOFFEND.

I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING AT INGRAM STATE FOR DECADES.

YOU HAVE THE NEW PERRY COUNTY FACILITY.

TALK ABOUT REENTRY EFFORTS AND WHAT PROGRESS IS BEING MADE THERE.

>> THAT'S THE THING.

WHEN SOMEONE IS SENTENCED TO PRISON, THE MAIN THING IS PUNISHMENT FOR WHATEVER OFFENSE THEY COMMITTED AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL OR AGAINST THE STATE, BUT THE SECOND COMPONENT IS JUST WHAT YOU SAID.

THEY ARE GOING TO GET BACK INTO IT SOCIETY.

I SAY A LOT OF TIMES, WE'RE THE ONLY BUSINESS THAT DOESN'T WANT REPEAT CUSTOMERS.

WHEN YOU LEAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, WE DON'T WANT YOU TO COME BACK.

HOW DO WE HELP THAT PROCESS?

OUR REENTRY, WE HAVE MULTIPLE PROGRAMS THAT INMATES CAN GO THROUGH WHILE INCARCERATED.

YOU MENTIONED INGRAM AND WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH CHANCELLOR JIMMY BAKER OVER THE TWO-YEAR COLLEGE SYSTEM IN INGRAM STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE WHERE THEY PROVIDE JOB TRAINING.

WE HAVE HVAC, ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, DIESEL MECHANICS, INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE, AND A COUPLE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT ARE VERY SOUGHT AFTER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE THAT KNOW THE SKILLED TRADE.

IT'S NOT A TWO-WEEK COURSE OR SIX-WEEK COURSE.

THIS IS FULL CERTIFICATION.

THEY GET THEIR OSHA CARDS.

INGRAM PROVIDES THAT INSTRUCTION FOR THESE INMATES.

SO, WHEN THEY DO GET RELEASED BACK IN TO SOCIETY A LOT OF TIMES THEY WILL HAVE JOBS BEFORE THEY ARE RELEASED BECAUSE THESE COMPANIES ARE NEEDING THESE SKILLED WORKERS.

WE ALSO HAVE AN INTERNSHIP, APPRENTICESHIP WITH FOUR STAR FREIGHTLINER ON DIESEL MECHANICS.

THEY ARE READY TO HIRE INDIVIDUALS WHEN THEY GET OUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT ONLY THEIR CERTIFICATION BUT PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE, AS WELL.

ALL OF THESE THINGS, WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT SO THEY DO NOT RETURN.

YOU HAVE A JOB AND IF YOU HAVE HOUSING, IF YOU HAVE I.D.S AND TRANSPORTATION, YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULD BE SUCCESSFUL AND NOT RETURN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

>> IF YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITIES, IT GIVES YOU HOPE AND THAT HELPS YOU BE SUCCESSFUL.

THAT'S INTERESTING.

I WAS TALKING TO CAM WARD LAST WEEK AT PARDONS AND PAROLES.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THAT ISSUE, TOO.

WITH A LOT OF REENTRY YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT END OF SENTENCE, CORRECT, BUT THERE IS ALSO THE PAROLE ISSUE.

HERE THIS YEAR, HERE RECENTLY, OUR PAROLE RATE HAS GONE WAY DOWN, ALMOST GROUND TO A HALT OVER THE SUMMER BECAUSE THE BOARD WASN'T REALLY FUNCTIONING.

I WAS TALKING TO DIRECTOR WARD ABOUT THIS, IN THE TERMS OF IF I'M AN INMATE AND I KNOW I WAS SENTENCED AND THERE WAS A CHANCE FOR PAROLE BUT I LEARNED THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE THE STATE IS NOT DOING THAT ANYMORE.

I DON'T HAVE A CHANCE TO GET PAROLE, DOESN'T THAT MAKE ME MORE LIKELY TO LOSE THAT HOPE.

I KNOW TO GET THAT PAROLE I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO BE ON MY BEST BEHAVIOR AND NOT BE PART OF THE PROBLEM.

DOESN'T THAT LACK OF HOPE FROM A PAROLE SYSTEM THAT DIDN'T REALLY OPERATE FOR A WHILE CONTRIBUTE TO THE VIOLENT NATURE OF PRISONS BY HAVING FOLKS LOSE THAT HOPE AND LOSE THAT INCENTIVE TO BEHAVE?

>> THAT'S A GOOD POINT BECAUSE WE HAVE INMATES THAT WORK IN OUR BUILDING, IN HEADQUARTERS, AND I TALK TO THEM PRETTY REGULAR.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THEY TALK ABOUT IS, YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY COME IN TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, THEY ARE PRETTY MUCH GIVEN A CHECKLIST OF DO THESE THINGS AND YOU'LL HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF GETTING PAROLED.

A LOT OF THEM DO THOSE THINGS AND WITH THE HOPE OF GETTING PAROLED AND WHEN THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN, THEY DO START TO LOSE HOPE OF GETTING OUT VIA PAROLE.

SO -- AND THERE ARE SOME INMATES SAYING, HEY, THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE IN PRISON THAT DON'T NEED TO GET OUT, BUT THERE ARE ONES THAT, YOU KNOW, GIVEN THAT SECOND CHANCE THEY HAVE DONE THEIR PUNISHMENT, THEY HAVE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY OF THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE FOR THEM TO REENTER IN TO SOCIETY.

SO, THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THAT.

YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WHEN THEY GET DENIED PAROLE OR DON'T COME UP FOR PAROLE OR GET SET OFF FOR FIVE YEARS, YEAH, THEY LOSE HOPE.

THEN THEIR BEHAVIOR INSIDE THE FACILITIES ARE GOING TO START BEING BEHAVIOR THAT WE DON'T NEED.

>> WELL, IT'S A GOOD POINT.

GOOD OBSERVATION.

I THINK THE PAROLE BOARD IS BACK UP TO AT LEAST OPERATING BECAUSE OF THE RECENT APPOINTMENT.

LOOK, WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING ON AND I HOPE YOU'LL COME BACK SOON.

>> ABSOLUTELY, TODD.

I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>>> YOU ARE WATCHING ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪ JOINING ME NEXT IS DR. JACK HAWKINS, CHANCELLOR OF TROY UNIVERSITY.

DR. HAWKINS, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> IT'S A PLEASURE.

PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU TODAY, TOO.

>> I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING YOU ON BUT IT'S BAN BIG WEEK BECAUSE YOU ARE COMING AFTER HOMECOMING.

I SAW FACEBOOKS AND TWEETS AND SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAD A BIG TIME FOR HOMECOMING WEEKEND?

>> I RAN INTO THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BEFORE THE PARADE ON SATURDAY MORNING AND SAID THIS IS A CLASSIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DAY AND SHE AGREED.

IT WAS A GREAT DAY, GREAT PARADE, GREAT COMMUNITY SUPPORT.

THOUSANDS OF ALUMNI AND STUDENTS AND THEN WE WON THE FOOTBALL GAME.

>> BIG WIN AND NOW YOU GET TO GO TO WEST POINT.

>> WE DO.

WE WERE INHOSPITABLE TO THEM LAST YEAR AND PREVAILED 10-9.

SO, I HOPE WHEN WE GO TO WEST POINT WE CAN REPEAT BUT IT IS A GREAT HONOR TO PLAY OUR SERVICE ACADEMIES.

WE SERVE TO MANY MILITARY MEN, WOMEN, VETERANS, YOU KNOW.

SO, IT'S GREAT FOR A PATRIOTIC UNIVERSITY TO BE INVITED TO GO TO WEST POINT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE WILL BE WATCHING THAT.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU SOME POLICY HERE.

WE HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THE ALABAMA COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION.

YOU ARE IN THE MIDST OF A ROLE CHANGE WHEN IT COMES TO THIS, HAVING TO DO WITH RESEARCH INSTITUTION AND EXPANDING THAT ROLE.

CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH WHAT THIS MEANS?

>> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THE LEADERSHIP OF DR. JIM PURCELL AND THE MEMBERS OF THE ALABAMA COMMISSION ON HIGHER ED.

THEIR JOB IS TO ADVOCATE AND REGULATE.

AND THEY DO WELL IN BOTH AREAS.

THEY DO A YEOMAN'S JOB TO MAKE SURE THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE ARE DONE IN A TIMELY AND ECONOMIC MANNER.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR US IN TERMS OF THE ROLE CHANGE, YOU KNOW, UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE TYPICALLY BEGINS TEACHING, AND THEN THE PUBLIC SERVICE DIMENSION ADDED AND WE DO A LOT OF BOTH.

WE HAVE DONE THE TEACHING PIECE SINCE 1887.

THE PUBLIC SERVICE FUNCTION INCLUDING MANY THINGS, SUCH AS ONLINE PROGRAMS THAT HELP HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, THE ROSA PARKS MUSEUM AND SO MANY OTHER THINGS BUT THE REAL MATURATION OF AN INSTITUTION OCCURS WHEN THE INSTITUTION IS ENGAGED IN IDENTIFYING NEW SOLUTIONS TO EXISTING AND OLD PROBLEMS.

THAT'S RESEARCH.

THAT'S WHAT I SEE THE FUTURE OF TROY UNIVERSITY ENCOMPASSING.

BUT THE STEP TAKEN SEPTEMBER 8TH BY THE ALABAMA COMMISSION ON HIGHER ED WAS AN AFFIRMATION OR REAFFIRMATION OF THE QUALITY OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE AT TROY.

IT SIMPLY MEANS WE ARE NOW AUTHORIZED TO BE A DOCTORAL DEGREE INSTITUTION.

WE OFFER THREE DOCTORATES CURRENTLY, WE OFFERED THE FIRST IN NURSING IN 2007 AND THEN ADDED A PH.D.

IN SPORT MANAGEMENT IN 2012, AND THEN FEW YEARS LATER A PH.D.

IN GLOBAL LEADERSHIP, WHICH IS A CLASSICALLY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM.

TO GET BEYOND THAT PROGRAM, THOUGH, THAT NUMBER OF DOCTORATES, WE HAD TO BE RECLASSIFIED.

THAT'S WHAT OCCURRED.

WE SAW IT AS A GREAT TESTIMONY TO THE MATURATION OF THE INSTITUTION.

THAT NOW ALLOWS US TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE NEXT STEP.

THAT IS AN R-2, OR RESEARCH UNIVERSITY.

IT'S NOT ABOUT INSTITUTION EGO.

IT IS ABOUT SERVICE TO STUDENTS, ABOUT SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

OUR MAIN CAMPUS IN TROY, LOCATED IN TROY, ALABAMA IN SOUTHEAST ALABAMA IS IMPORTANT TO THAT PARTICULAR REGION.

>> AN ECONOMIC ENGINE.

>> YEAH, AND YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IT IS AN UNDERSERVED PART OF ALABAMA.

OFTEN FORGOTTEN ACTUALLY.

BUT IT HASN'T BEEN FORGOTTEN BY US.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THAT REGION.

I THINK THERE ARE SO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS IN BUSINESS AND OTHER AREAS THAT WE CAN HELP ADDRESS BY VIRTUE OF THE NEXT STEP INTO THAT RESEARCH, BUT WE SAW IT AS A GREAT TESTIMONY TO WHERE WE ARE, AND A GREAT -- I THINK IT ADDED VALUE TO EVERY DEGREE WE HAVE EVER AWARDED AND IT ADDED VALUE TO ANY DEGREE WE WILL AWARD.

EARLIER YOU ASKED WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO THE PERSON ON THE STREET?

PERHAPS -- I WAS ASKED THAT SHORTLY AFTER SEPTEMBER 8TH.

MY RESPONSE WAS, WELL, IF YOU FRAME IT IN FOOTBALL TERMS, WHAT THIS MEANS IS WE HAVE JUST BEATEN LSU THREE TIMES IN A ROW.

MOST PEOPLE WOULD UNDERSTAND THAT ANALOGY VERSUS THIS BIG OF A DOCTORAL DEGREE INSTITUTION BUT IT WAS A MAJOR GROWTH STEP FOR THE UNIVERSITY AND FOR THE STATE.

>> I REMEMBER THAT ONE.

YEAH.

SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WHEN I THINK OF TROY, OVER THE YEARS, I THINK A LOT ABOUT YOUR GROWTH IN -- YOUR REACH INTERNATIONALLY.

I KNOW THERE'S A SCHOOL IN VIETNAM NOW AND THAT'S BEEN AROUND.

TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT'S BEEN LIKE.

I KNOW IT'S BEEN A BIG MISSION OF YOURS TO GROW TROY INTERNATIONAL AND WHERE WE ARE NOW.

>> I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO SERVE TROY SINCE 1989.

WHEN I ARRIVED IN TROY I FOUND AN INTERESTING SCENARIO.

WE HAD ONLY 40 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ON CAMPUS AND YET SERVING THE MILITARY IN TEN COUNTRIES, 26 MILITARY BASES THROUGHOUT EUROPE AND NEVER THE TWO CAME TOGETHER.

SO, WE SET OUT TO REALLY GLOBALIZE THE INSTITUTION AND NOT JUST -- NOT FOR NO GOOD REASON.

IT WAS FOR A VERY SOUND REASON.

THAT IS, OUR DESIRE IS TO GRADUATE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE STUDENTS AND YOU CAN'T GRADUATE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE STUDENTS IF THEY ARE NOT GLOBALLY AWARE.

OUR GOAL, NUMBER ONE, WAS TO BRING THE WORLD TO TROY.

BEFORE COVID, WE HAD 75 COUNTRIES REPRESENTED IN STUDENTS ON OUR CAMPUS WITH 425 FROM CHINA ALONE.

A BIG PART OF WHAT WE HAVE BECOME AND IT'S BEEN LABELED BY THE MEDIA AS ALABAMA'S INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY.

BY OUR SECOND THRUST WAS TO CONTINUE TO PLANT THE FLAG IN FAR AWAY PLACES.

WHEN THE BERLIN WALL CAME DOWN IN THE EARLY '90S AND THE SOVIET UNION FELL APART, OUR TROOP STRENGTH IN EUROPE WAS DOWN SIZED BY TWO-THIRDS, WE RELOOKED AND SAW THE FUTURE, NOT IN EUROPE BUT IN ASIA AND IT WAS THEN WE BEGAN TO PLANT OUR FLAG IN ASIA AND TODAY WE ARE LOCATED IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES.

WE ARE ON MILITARY BASES IN JAPAN AND KOREA, PROGRAMS IN CHINA, IN MALAYSIA AND I'M REALLY PROUD OF OUR PROGRAMS IN VIETNAM.

WHEN I LEFT VIETNAM IN 1969, I NEVER INTENDED TO RETURN BUT I DID IN '01.

WE SET UP PROGRAMS IN '02.

BECAME THE FIRST AMERICAN UNIVERSITY TO EVER AWARD THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN VIETNAM AND THAT OCCURRED IN '08.

TODAY, WE HAVE OVER 1,000 STUDENTS ON THE GROUND IN VIETNAM.

WE HAVE 1500 ALUMNI AND WE LEAVE IN JUST A FEW DAYS TO RETURN TO VIETNAM TO HOLD SEVERAL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

IT'S A VIBRANT COUNTRY.

WE THINK ABOUT THE GROWING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VIETNAM AND AMERICA.

THEY MAY BE LABELED COMMUNIST, BUT WE HAVE NEVER HAD ONE STUDENT AND WE HAVE HAD HUNDREDS OF THEM, WHO WANTED TO STUDY COMMUNIST OR SOCIALISM.

THEY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE FREE MARKET SYSTEM AND WHAT MADE OUR COUNTRY GREAT.

I THINK WE ARE BUILDING GREAT AMBASSADORS, ONE AT A TIME AND IT HAS SERVED OUR STUDENTS.

BUT THE THIRD DIMENSION ON INTERNATIONALIZATION IS TO STUDY ABROAD.

WHEN YOU LOOK AROUND AND SEE THOUSANDS OF TROY CAR TAGS, WELL, OUR SUPPORTERS AND ALUMNI AND SUPPORTERS WILL PAY $50.

THE STATE SENDS US BACK ABOUT $48.

WE SAVE THAT MONEY AND INVESTED IT.

TODAY, WE HAVE A FUND OF $11 MILLION AND USE ONLY THE PROCEEDS TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS THAT STUDY ABROAD.

EVERY STUDENT WHO ENROLLS IN TROY, BE THEY ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE IS ELIGIBLE FOR A $1,250 PER YEAR SCHOLARSHIP TO GO ABROAD AND THAT HELPS TO FRAY THE EXPENSE FOR MANY STUDENTS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD NEVER HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

I THINK BETWEEN THESE THREE DIMENSIONS WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS THE REALIZATION OF WHAT WE WANTED TO ACHIEVE AND THAT IS GRADUATING STUDENTS THAT ARE GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE.

>> WHILE ON THE ISSUE, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE ISSUE OF RETAINING GRADUATES HERE IN ALABAMA.

IT'S BEEN AN ISSUE FOR MANY UNIVERSITIES AND WE KNOW NEVER GOING TO BE 100% OF THE STUDENTS THAT GO TO COLLEGE HERE WILL STAY, LIVE AND WORK HERE BUT MAYBE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE LEAVING TO OTHER STATES THAN WE'D LIKE.

YOU ALL HAVE HAD SOME SUCCESS AT THIS.

I'M CURIOUS, WHAT'S THE SECRET SAUCE?

HOW HAVE YOU BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN RETAINING GRADUATES TO WORK HERE IN ALABAMA?

>> WE FOCUS ON PRACTITIONER ORIENTED PROGRAMS AND PROGRAMS THAT LEAD TO CAREERS.

THE MAJORITY OF OUR STUDENTS, CERTAINLY NOT ALL, WE GET STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

TYPICALLY WE WILL HAVE ALL 50 STATES REPRESENTED, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAJORITY OF OUR STUDENTS, THEY COME FROM ALABAMA AND THAT MAJORITY WILL COME FROM SOUTH ALABAMA.

OUR LARGEST DRAW IS WITHIN 100 MILES.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE 18 COUNTIES IN SOUTH ALABAMA, THE NUMBER ONE INSTITUTION IN TERMS OF THEIR CHOICE OF ENROLLMENT IS TROY.

SO, WE START WITH PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND THE STATE.

THEY UNDERSTAND THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THEY LOVE THEIR COMMUNITIES AND IF WE TRAIN THEM IN AREAS WHERE THERE ARE JOBS, AND THAT'S WHAT WE TRY TO DO, THEN MANY OF THOSE STUDENTS -- IN FACT THE MAJORITY OF THEM MIGRATE BACK TO THOSE COMMUNITIES TO CARVE OUT A LIFE AND CAREER AND GROW THEIR FAMILIES.

IT HAS WORKED WELL.

WHILE WE RECRUIT OUT OF STATE, THE PREPONDERANCE ARE NOT OUT OF STATE AND IF YOU GIVE THEM A MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE AND BEAUTIFUL PLACE WITH A FOCUS ON THE LARGER WORLD AROUND US THEY ARE INCLINED TO STAY HERE.

IT IS WORKING.

IT IS A SUCCESSFUL FORMULA.

>> I KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS IN THE LEGISLATURE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU, BUT THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION TO BE WITH YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> YOU CAN WATCH PAST EPISODES OF "CAPITOL JOURNAL" ONLINE ANYTIME AT ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S WEBSITE APTV.ORG.

CLICK ON THE ONLINE VIDEO TAB ON THE MAIN PAGE.

YOU CAN ALSO CONNECT WITH "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AND LINK TO PAST EPISODES ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL'S" FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> JOINING ME NEXT ARE STATE SENATOR APRIL WEAVER AND PEGGY BENSON, EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE ALABAMA BOARD OF NURSING.

LADIES, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US TODAY.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NURSING AND THE PROFESSION, AND THE ISSUES FACING THE PROFESSION.

I KNOW YOU WORKED TO START THIS HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE TASK FORCE EXAMINING THESE ISSUES.

HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT?

>> SO, AS THE ONLY NURSE CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE, HEALTHCARE IS TOP OF MIND FOR ME.

I SPENT ABOUT 23 YEARS IN THE HOSPITAL SETTING, IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN ADDITION TO MY LEGISLATIVE SERVICE.

SO, IT IS SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN VERY FAMILIAR WITH AND VERY ENGRAINED IN MOST OF MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE.

I SAW THIS NEED RELATED TO ALL THE WORKFORCE ISSUES THAT WE'RE HAVING RELATED TO HEALTHCARE.

IN 2022, WE PASSED A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE ALABAMA HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE.

WE ARE YEAR TWO IN TO THE THREE-YEAR PROJECT.

>> IT STRUCK ME THERE WERE TWO HEADLINES WITHIN A COUPLE OF MONTHS OF EACH OTHER.

ONE IS HOW THE DEMAND, THE PROFESSION OF NURSING WAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST IN DEMAND JOBS OUT THERE.

REALLY TONS OF DEMAND FOR NURSES.

THE SECOND HEADLINE IS UP TO 39,000 NURSES WOULD CONSIDER LEAVING THE PROFESSION IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

KIND OF DUALITY THERE IS STRIKING.

LET ME ASK YOU, IT WAS A SURVEY YOU ALL CONDUCTED.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THAT SURVEY?

WHAT DID IT TELL YOU ABOUT THE NURSING SHORTAGE WE MIGHT BE FACING IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?

>> WELL, WE UTILIZE THE NATIONAL DATA SET WORKFORCE SURVEY WE LOOK AT EVERY BOARD OF NURSING AND THE NATIONAL COUNCIL.

IT INDICATED FOR OUR LICENSEES AND WE CURRENTLY HAVE 97,000, THAT 38,000 PLANNED TO LEAVE THE PROFESSION WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

WHEN WE SAW THAT NUMBER, WE KNEW WE HAD TO LOOK AT OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS AND SAY HOW MANY MORE ARE GOING TO COME IN AND REPLACE THOSE 38,000 EXPERIENCED NURSES AND THAT'S THE CONCERN WE HAVE THE MOST RIGHT NOW IS WE WILL LOSE MOST OF OUR EXPERIENCED NURSES.

WE DO HAVE 25,000 NEW GRADUATES THAT WILL COME IN DURING THAT PERIOD BUT THEY DON'T TYPICALLY ALL STAY IN ALABAMA.

THEY WILL GET THEIR LICENSE HERE INITIALLY BUT DOESN'T MEAN THEY WILL STAY LONG TERM IN ALABAMA.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FACTORS THAT GO IN TO WHY SOMEONE WOULD WANT TO LEAVE THE PROFESSION?

I'M GUESSING SOME OF THEM ARE RETIREMENTS, BUT AFTER COVID I'M THINKING BURNOUT, AND I KNOW PAY MAY NOT BE AT THE TOP END.

WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT GO INTO THAT?

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT IT FROM THE STANDPOINT OF OUR AVERAGE AGE DROPPED FROM 54 TO 36 THE LAST SURVEY.

IT TELLS US THAT SOME HAVE LEFT ALREADY THE PROFESSION.

WE THINK IT WAS DURING COVID.

NURSES DON'T NECESSARILY RETIRE THEIR LICENSE.

WE HAVE A RETIRED LICENSE PROCESS THEY COULD USE IF THEY WANTED TO.

MOST STOP WORKING AND LET THEIR LICENSE LAP SO THEY CAN REINSTATE ANYTIME THEY WANT TO.

WE ARE THINKING IT IS EITHER THE COVID, THE BURNOUT OR MANY OTHER ISSUES THEY HAVE DECIDED THEY WANT TO TAKE A BREAK FROM NURSING PRACTICE.

SO, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE AT 97,000 RIGHT NOW, WE WERE 104 PRIOR TO THE COMPACT.

WE KNOW WE LOST SOME TO THE COMPACT BECAUSE THEY NO LONGER NEEDED A LICENSE.

>> THE COMPACT WAS ALLOWING NURSES TO CROSS STATE LINES AND COME IN.

>> YES.

>> TALK TO ME, ESPECIALLY FROM Y'ALL'S EXPERIENCE IN NURSING, WHAT HAPPENS?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE HAVE A SEVERE NURSING SHORTAGE.

WHEN THERE AREN'T ENOUGH TO STAFF A HOSPITAL, WHEN IT REACHES THE CRITICAL FACTOR WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

>> IT IS SOMETHING THAT AFFECTS THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE, EVERYBODY NEEDS HEALTHCARE AND GOOD QUALITY HEALTHCARE.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT EFFECTS A WHOLE COMMUNITY WHEN THERE IS AN ISSUE SUCH AS THIS.

WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT INNOVATIVE WAYS OF HOW WE ADDRESS THIS.

ONE THING WE TALKED ABOUT AT OUR LAST TASK FORCE IS SOME RETIREES THAT PEGGY MENTIONED HOW DO YOU GET THEM REENGAGED.

THERE MAY BE SOME OLDER NURSES THAT DON'T WANT TO WORK 12-HOUR SHIFTS ANYMORE AND SOME ARE TIRED OF THE HOSPITAL SETTING BUT THEY HAVE A VAST AMOUNT OF CLINICAL KNOWLEDGE.

WE KNOW WE NEED CLINICAL EDUCATORS.

IS THERE A WAY TO BRING THEM BACK AND INCLUDE THEM IN A CLINICAL EDUCATION STANDPOINT SO THEY ARE EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS WE HAVE DONE ALREADY AND SO MANY OTHER THINGS WE NEED TO LOOK AT.

I'LL TELL YOU THERE'S ONE SPECIFIC EXAMPLE I CAN GIVE YOU FROM MY DISTRICT.

I REPRESENT BIBB, SHELBY AND SHELTON COUNTIES.

HAVE GREAT HEALTHCARE IN BIBB COUNTY WITH THE MEDICAL CENTER, BUT WE KNEW THEY WERE GOING THROUGH A BIG ISSUE OF NEEDING NURSES.

WE LOOKED AT THIS AND SAID HOW CAN WE LOOK AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE THAT AFFECTS THE COMMUNITY?

THERE WAS A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THERE IN EDUCATING AN ADULT WORKFORCE THAT WE DID LAST YEAR IN THE DISTRICT.

I CAN'T TAKE CREDIT FOR IT BECAUSE IT WAS ALL SHELTON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND BIBB MEDICAL CENTER AND THE PARTNERSHIP THEY CREATED, BUT THE HOSPITAL NEEDED THE WORKFORCE.

THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE WAS THERE TO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE AND THEY CREATED A PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAM IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE THE HOSPITAL CREATED THE CLINICAL SPACE FOR TEACHING, SHELTON STATE HELPED WITH THE CURRICULUM AND THE EDUCATION PART OF IT.

THE HOSPITAL HELPED TO COVER ALL OF THEIR FEES AND THEIR TUITION AND EVERYTHING THAT WAS RELATED TO THAT PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAM.

THEY BROUGHT THESE ADULT WORKERS BACK.

THEY WENT THROUGH A THREE SEMESTER PROGRAM FOR A PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAM.

THEY DID CLINICALS IN THE HOSPITAL AND IN THE LONG-TERM CARE.

SO, AT THE END OF SUCCESSFUL LIVE COMPLETING THIS PROGRAM THEY WERE ALREADY ENGRAINED IN CERTAIN CLINICAL AREAS AND OFFERED JOBS THERE.

FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO WORK THERE, THEY GET FOR A TWO-YEAR COMMITMENT THEY GET THEIR EDUCATION PAID FOR, AND COMMITMENT FROM THE HOSPITAL THAT THEY HAVE A JOB.

WE LOOK AT IT CHANGING COMMUNITIES AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN REPLICATE.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK, THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM THAT MAY BE COULD BE REPLICATED IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.

IS THERE ANY TALK OF THAT?

>> YES.

WE HAVE LOOKED AT -- LAST YEAR THE BOARD OF NURSING APPROVED 12 STAND-ALONE LPN NURSING PROGRAMS.

SO THOSE HAVE BEEN INITIATED.

WE ARE BEGINNING TO SEE THE FIRST GRADUATES FROM THAT.

IT HAS BEEN HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL.

THE BOARD OF NURSING HAS DONE SEVERAL THINGS TO ASSIST THE NURSING WORKFORCE, SUCH AS CREATING MEDICATION ASSISTANT CERTIFIED.

WE HAVE PERMITTED 1200 OF THOSE TO ASSIST THE WORKFORCE AND A LOT OF HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES HAVE PICKED UP THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO EASE THE BURDEN AND WORK FOR THEM.

WE CREATED THE STUDENT NURSE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM WITH THE OFFICE OF APPRENTICESHIP.

WE HAVE 75 EMPLOYERS, 18 COLLEGES AND 350 PERMITS ISSUED.

SO, IT'S VICTIM TO THE LPN PROGRAM THEY DID.

YOU SEE A LOT OF EMPLOYERS WILL COMING TO THE TABLE SAYING WE'LL PAY FOR YOUR EDUCATION.

COME AND WORSE FOR US AND WE WILL ENSURE YOU HAVE A JOB WHEN YOU GRADUATE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF COMMUNITY LEADERS AND HOSPITALS STEPPING UP AND SAYING WE WANT TO PARTNER TO DO THIS.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THESE STUDENTS AND HOW MANY NURSES THEY WILL BRING TO THE WORKFORCE THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO ADDRESSING SOME OF THE WORKFORCE ISSUES ON THE NURSING PROFESSION, WHAT CAN THE BOARD OF NURSING DO IN TERMS OF POLICY VERSUS WHAT THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO DO OR IS IT WORKING TOGETHER?

>> I WOULD SAY IT IS ABSOLUTELY WORKING TOGETHER AND WE DO THAT EVERY YEAR IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THROUGHOUT THE TIME THAT WE'RE NOT IN SESSION.

IT'S WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS SUMMER LOOKING AT IT, NOT ONLY THROUGH THE TASK FORCE BUT IN CONVERSATION OF WHAT CAN WE DO WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE THE SITUATION BETTER FOR OUR STATE.

>> UH-HUH.

WELL, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE WORKFORCE SITUATION ON THE BROADER LEVEL, NOT JUST IN NURSING BUT FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS.

AND BARRIERS TO THE WORKFORCE.

WHAT IS STOPPING FOLKS FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE WORKFORCE FROM ENGAGING AND WHAT KEEPS COMING UP IS CHILDARE.

IT IS EXPENSIVE AND IN SOME CASES NOT AVAILABLE.

THERE WERE SOME INCENTIVES TO CREATE A CHILD CARE SERVICE.

>> I SUPPORT THAT.

I CAN TELL YOU DURING MY TIME IN THE HOSPITAL I HAD A YOUNG CHILD.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS ALWAYS AN ISSUE FOR US IN THE HEALTHCARE SETTING.

LUCKY FOR ME WE DIVIDED AND CONQUERED.

I HAD SOME CO-WORKERS AND WE SHARED DUTIES AND MANAGED BUT FOR NURSING IT'S A BIG ISSUE.

THINK OF NURSES, THEY WORK 12-HOUR SHIFTS, SOME OF THEM.

CHILDCARE IS NOT OPEN 12 HOURS A DAY WHEN THEY NEED THEM.

WE NEED TO OFFER INCENTIVES IN THE HEALTHCARE REALM FOR OFFERING HEALTHCARE.

IT IS AN ISSUE WHEN IT COMES TO A YOUNGER WORKFORCE.

>> FOR SOME IT IS ALMOST A CHOICE.

>> AND IT'S EXPENSIVE.

>> THAT'S WHAT I UNDERSTAND.

I KEEP HEARING THAT.

IN SOME CASES THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH.

EVERY TIME WE TALK ABOUT WORKFORCE, THAT ISSUE KEEPS COMING UP.

WELL, LOOK, WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT THE NURSING PROFESSION, THE WORKFORCE ISSUE THAT YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR VIEWERS ARE AWARE OF?

>> WELL, WHAT WE ARE WANTING TO DO THIS NEXT YEAR IS TO LOOK AT ADDING ANOTHER SUPPORT POSITION THAT WE WILL REGULATE THROUGH THE BOARD OF NURSING.

IT'S GONE TO THE TASK FORCE FOR APPROVAL AND SO WE HAVE AN ADVISORY COUNCIL, THE BOARD OF NURSING IS WORKING TOWARD THAT.

WE WANT TO LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY OF GETTING GRANT MONEY TO SUPPORT THE EVALUATIONS WE NEED FOR REENTRY BACK INTO PRACTICE AND LOOKING AT GRANT MONEYS TO OFFER ONLINE COUNSELING TO OUR NURSES BECAUSE OF THE COVID AND EXPERIENCES THAT PEOPLE WENT THROUGH DURING THAT TIME.

YOU WANT TO BE SURE THEY CAN HAVE POTENTIAL LIFE-SAVING MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, AS WELL AS SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING ONLINE AND IF WE CAN APPLY FOR GRANTS AND UTILIZE THOSE MONEYS, SO THAT IS A BILL WE WOULD TAKE FORTH TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SENATOR WEAVER HAS BEEN AWESOME TO WORK WITH AND WE DEPEND ON HER HEAVILY TO HELP US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE INITIATIVES.

THOSE ARE THE MAJOR THINGS.

AND THEN WE WANT TO LOOK AT THE LPN DUAL ENROLLMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

WE JUST APPROVED A CURRICULUM PLAN FOR ACCS TO UTILIZE AND CREATE THOSE DUAL-ENROLLMENT LPN PROGRAMS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHICH WE THINK WOULD BE FAR BENEFICIAL AND SEE IF WE CAN GET FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS IN HIGH SCHOOL SO WHEN THEY GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL THEY WOULD BE QUALIFIED TO SIT FOR THEIR LICENSE FOR LPN.

WE THINK THAT WOULD BRING A HUGE NUMBER TO THE STATE AND MEET A BURDEN IN OUR COMMUNITIES BECAUSE YOU WANT THE NURSES GOING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY TO WORK.

>> SOUNDS ALMOST LIKE CREATING A PIPELINE TO PREVENT FUTURE SHORTAGES.

>> YES.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> LOOK FORWARD TO FOLLOWING THE ISSUE INTO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> GOOD.

THANK YOU.

>> WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> SENATOR AND U.S. VICE PRESIDENT WILLIAM RUFUS KING OF DALLAS COUNTY SERVED IN THE U.S. SENATE FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

IN 1852, KING WAS ELECTED VICE PRESIDENT ON THE TICKET WITH FRANKLIN PIERCE WHILE RECOVERING FROM ILLNESS IN CUBA.

KING BECAME THE ONLY MEMBER OF THE U.S. EXECUTIVE BRANCH TO HAVE EVER BEEN BORN ON FOREIGN SOIL.

HE PASSED AWAY LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER BEING INAUGURATED.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH MORE "CAPITOL JOURNAL" AT THE SAME TIME RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.